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Catching Catfish on the Potomac

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

On Thursday evening, I caught a mess of small white perch on the Patuxent. On Friday, Brian Easter and I took his Bass Tracker to the Potomac to target catfish. The perch carcasses soaked in menhaden oil worked pretty well for 5-20 lb. fish (4 channels and 4 blues). Next trip, I'll be using alewives to compare. Best catfish bait I ever found is fresh black mullet soaked in menhaden oil.

Also congrats to the Wounded Warriors, Tim Hagen and thecatfishnation.com for such a great event at Ft. Washington Marina. Those big blue cats are awesome!

Questions to DNR: What is the Maryland DNR opinion on blue cat edibility vs. size? Also, many charter captains insist on releasing those big brutes. What is the official stance on releasing an invasive species back into the eco-system?

DNR Response:Hello Larry, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) recommends no more than three meals a month of blue catfish caught from the Maryland portion of the tidal Potomac. Here’s a link to a document MDE released last year: Maryland Fish Consumption Advisories

Maryland recognizes blue catfish (as well as flathead catfish) as invasive species, it is illegal to transport live invasive species into a body of water other than the one it was caught, anyone in violation of this can be fined up to $1,000. Also, at this time Maryland is asking anglers to remove and kill any blue or flathead catfish they may catch.